Job Information

The Eddy Visiting Nurse Associationhas a unique and exciting opportunity to join our home-based palliative care team, caring for patients diagnosed with serious illness. The goals of the program are to improve patient outcomes (less emergency room visits, less hospitalizations), and improve patient and caregiver satisfaction/quality of life.

Background: St. Peter’s Health Partners has identified an urgent and growing need to improve health care outcomes and quality of life for people and their families living with serious illness during the years before they are eligible for hospice care (those with a life expectancy of 6 months or less). The innovative solution is an evidence-based medical specialty known as palliative care which focuses on providing relief from the pain, symptoms and distress of serious illness. It is a team-based approach to care involving specialty-trained doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists focused on improving quality of life. Accumulating evidence suggests that, compared to usual care, the addition of palliative care services results in less symptom distress, improved patient survival, and decrease in family stress. Imagine someone who is battling severe illness, suffering adverse treatment side effects and in great spiritual distress. The patient is not yet eligible for hospice care, but their care needs – physical, social and psychological – are no less critical than that of a patient in the care of hospice. Palliative care treats the patient’s pain and symptoms, and supports them at their most vulnerable time reducing the need for crisis interventions and hospitalizations, thus enabling patients to spend more time enjoying what matters most to them. Unlike hospice care, palliative care can be provided at the same time as curative treatments; it is appropriate at any age and at any stage of a serious illness.”

Palliative Care Partners, is our service line accessible to patients and families in hospitals, outpatient centers, physician offices, and in their homes. Join our team and coordinate with palliative care team members across the continuum.

Our vision is for palliative care to be provided earlier in the disease progression, moving from today’s crisis-driven, hospital-based model to a preventative, community-based palliative care model. We envision patients accessing this care earlier to relieve symptoms, ensure that their care is matched to their personal goals and provide much needed caregiver assistance.

Primary Responsibilities: Manages a caseload of patients in their homes. Educates patients/families regarding their diagnosis(es), disease progression; engages patients and families in goals of care conversations, assists in completion of advance directives, shares advance directives with other providers involved in the patient's care, works with the patient's provider(s) to manage symptoms, coordinates with other disciplines - social workers, home health aides, therapy as needed. Meets routinely with palliative care program physician to review each patient and presents recommendations to the patient's community physician. Cares for ONE PATIENT AT A TIME. Gains new skills (wound vacs, advanced wound care, chronic disease management, and more!). Will be on the front-line of the transitions in health care from inpatient settings to the community – home health care is the future!

Minimum Requirements:

Valid NYS RN license

Associates degree in nursing

2 years + experience as a RN in an acute care environment

Valid driver license and reliable vehicle

Certification in Hospice and Palliative Nursing, or a commitment to successfully complete the certification exam within two years of hire

Preferred Requirements:

Experience working with seniors and / or individuals with serious illness

Bachelor's degree in nursing

Maintain the highest level of customer service while completing day to day duties and responsibilities

Highest level of interpersonal skills to establish and maintain relationships with patients, families, physicians and coworkers

Excellent communication in a fast pace work environment through and interdepartmental team

Strong engagement to promote a strong team culture

Passion to learn, grow and develop in the nursing field

Eddy VNA provides a comprehensive orientation to home health care. Eddy VNA provides a supportive work environment with access to clinical nurse specialists, in-depth computer training, assistance obtaining insurance authorizations, RN supervisors who are only a phone call away, and more! Join us for a day and shadow an experienced RN Palliative Care Specialists! See why RNs who transition to home care love what they do!

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.